Rose, you are right that would work.

In the meantime I have been playing with the idea of wallpapering just that area with something mural like.

I love the mirror that Roseabbey posted! And with the silvered mirrors it shouldn't reflect much. Something like that would really fit your room. Simple and elegant.

I like the mirror Roseabbey posted, too, especially since it's versatile and could work in other spaces if you decide to change.

I like the wallpaper idea, too--but you would need to trim out the space around it. I don't believe it would work to just wallpaper above without enclosing it in trim work. (Like the House Beautiful photo you show above). But if you plan on beefing up the mantle, this could easily be done alongside that work.

I like the idea of beefing up the mantel so it gives you more dimension to play with. I like the idea of wallpaper above...I often like accent walls...but it becomes an issue of where to start and stop the paper and what it looks like from the side.

I'm still thinking a wall hanging of something unique but textured would be nice. This one may be too sweet, but a piece of fiber art with the right vibe could work.

Or you might consider contacting a local artist to do a painting on the wall...something in soft colors and scenic...that way it wouldn't risk peeling like wallpaper and it could be custom fit to exactly the size you want.

Mtn - thanks for the info about OGT. It certainly merits more research before venturing north. I have a list of places in and near Philly that I plan on visiting and now that 2 of my 3 kids are homeowners I have accomplices in my search for objets d'art.

There have been some great ideas mentioned here and I think I've bookmarked quite a few for my own use.

Beefing up the mantel may give you more flexibility of choice. As for the photos, I wasn't suggesting them because they were easier to find, but they are art. Ymmv. I like the mirror Rose posted for your mantel.

Key in "carved wood wall panels" into search. There are all different sizes, colors, styles and price points. You will even find some on eBay.

Or, metal panel or painted panel.

This might be to plain or rustic...riddling rack

with demijohns with forsythia branches or something similar on the sides

Could you put the panels above quite elevated on the wall above the mantel, then below them add a horizontal piece of whatever? I love the panels you showed us and think they would be lovely. Also love the chair you currently have in their and if you can find another upholstered chair that will look good with it, it would be perfect.

Framed wallpaper panels are lovely, but I think they should be done as groups of two or more in a room. It is nice to have changeable décor over your mantel. For easy shopping from home, take a look through Pier 1 wall décor on line. They have a lot of things sold only online, including carved panels and mosaics.

http://www.pier1.com/mirrored-damask-panel---champagne/2561634.html?cgid=wall_art#nav=left&start=1

http://www.pier1.com/mosaic-swirls-wall-panel---silver/2741937.html?cgid=wall_art#start=1&sz=420&showAll=445

voila the first mirrored damask panel you posted is gorgeous!!!! I love it.

Glad you like it, akt. Wouldn't two look grand side by side?

Definitely!!

Interesting about OGT! I've been in the Scranton warehouses/store. It is just PACKED with you name it. Everything and I mean everything. However I found them to not be helpful in the least and most everything is about 5 times the cost or more that you could find it for elsewhere. I am nothing if not a bargain shopper. I was looking for a FP mantle. There were literally a hundred. Things hung 15 feet up on the wall so you couldn't measure anything. The place is a warehouse so stifling in the summer and freezing in the winter. Plan your trip accordingly.

I've never heard that about OGT! The iron seal over my range came from there.

If wallpapering is still an option, are you familiar with Susan Harter's mural designs? http://www.susanharter.com/scenics-and-samples

I think they are just gorgeous!

Those are sooo nice Ruby!

I probably didn't express myself very well- not unusual for me-ha! "Doors" and "metal grates" are fine; I think fiber art would look better in that room (as much as I see of it).

rubyclaire, those wall murals are really lovely

Rubyclaire, thanks for posting. We are looking at a lakehouse and I was going to have my BFF paint the powder room with a scene. This website can be Plan B.

I would consider monochromatic Chinese scrolls with beautiful natural scenes, something antique and not imported from China since those are all modern fakes. Almost all the pieces proposed above look too heavy and rustic for your bedroom.

I feel like I have fallen behind in replies! sorry!

Ingrid, I think i could go either direction with the room. The beams and light are rustic, and on my side of the room there is a little alcove and then a barn door to my bathroom, which is somewhat rustic. My DH's bathroom is not rustic, it's actually a tiny bit ...deco... believe it or not ... but everything inthe whole suite is monochromatic. One thing that skews very traditional is the needlepoint rug I have over the sisal, and a Baker armoire. Both of those are refugees from my old home. The rug i like but it could easily be folded up and stored.

Ruby, Thank you so much for that link. I am in LOVE with this room below. Now I need a green plant, LOL! Luckily I have lovely white birch logs; the ones in my fpl now are actually for burning!

Your mural idea is one I was already tossing around with Pal, who suggested Paul Montgomery Scenic Wallpapers (another great source, and they do retail, but are more expensive). Of course both of these are in a sense knockoffs of the truly wildly expensive French versions.

Funnily enough, my parents had a toile in their LR those very same colors.

Missy, Allison, I have mixed feelings about all those sellers. They are ripoffs, but OTOH, they know where and how to find unique things and then they inventory them and take a risk on them. And it saves buyers a ton of time. Who is to say what that is "worth"?

Voila, I cannot really tell what those look like from the photo ... I can't quite see the mirroring. They are intriguing!

Walnut - I think the depth of the shelf is only about 6 inches, alas.

Jterri, You have been hard at work! Those are some great choices and really echo the room that inspired me. I think I have veered off that course though. What do you think ... skew the room more rustic starting with the mantle decor, or skew it more traditional?

IN THE MEANTIME,

I am sitting in a wicker chair I brought from the pool conservatory, just as a trial to see if I would use the chair and if it feels crowded sitting here. So far a big THUMBS up ... definitely buying a chair for here. I am really liking the view, sitting in my trial chair, looking across at the chair we have now. It feels a little bit Cotswold-y to me.

PS... These are less expensive (ie digital) versions of the PM, but you cant get custom sizes on these (you can with Harter and with the more costly PM lines)

Digital versions of PM murals

And a random picture for grisaille fans:

Oh I so love that last picture !!!

Me too, Jterri. It looks like opium den chic to me!

Lol! I just think it looks timeless, grand , relaxing , vintage , glorious and tasteful all in one. Love!

Okay, so I thought I'd post an update.

1. I have a matching white duck chair and ottoman on order

2. I have been looking for the last 2 months for artwork or a salvage piece and come up with nothing compelling.

3. I went back to revisit this thread, and realized I love this image (thank you Pal, I think you found this when I mentioned this paper):

4. So, I bought the mirror. I know I said no to mirrors because it wouldn't reflect anything interesting,, but this mirror is as much sculpture as mirror. It has a great scale for the space (42"x24") and is both striking and whacky and yet classical.

5. I also bought this print for over my bed. I've always always liked it.

6. I am going to have our carpenter beef up the mantle molding a bit and put some green plants there, much like in the inspiration photo

7 I may or may not hang a mural. I ordered samples of the cloud mural from the inspiration photo. I also am considering the Susan Harter mural, I think in the bottom colorway below. (thank you Rubyclaire)

That's going to look great!

If I were to choose a mural, I would stick with the clouds. It doesn't compete with the mirror.

Thanks, Kitch

Here is a mock up if I stick with a mural. I would like the clouds I think, but it comes in less colorways so I may not be able to use it.

I'm so excited about the mirror. It's one of those rare instances when I just love something and have no qualms that i can use it here and elsewhere.

Ooooh, that does look good!

I love it when you find the "perfect" piece! Just makes you happy when ever you walk into the room.

Loving it. You are doing great!

Love, love, love the mirror!!

Can I still object to the mural? I would love it on a flat wall but that is a very busy wall architecture and window-wise. Or would you consider doing it all the way down to the floor?

Well, now I'm preferring the trees! Just feels calmer :)

Robo,

Actually, yes, I plan to wallpaper all the way down, I think it will make the fpl pop more. I just was too lazy to mock it up. Originally, I was doing just a mural panel with nothing hung on top of it, and that I might have outlined with a bit of molding almost as if it were a painting.

Kitch, the mock up of the clouds may look busy because of limitations of the mock up

What, you don't think my ms paint skills reflect the art?? I am shocked!

I think the gold intricate mirror sort of fights with the soft pattern of the mural, particularly, the deep back contrast with the gold. I would start with just the mirror. Maybe after seeing the big picture when all is said in done I might think differently. I suppose it is hard to tell with the mock up.

I like the shape of the mirror and do like it with the mural behind it. My only objection is the color of the mirror, It is too bright, it looks almost like the brassy golds of the eighties. A more subdued gold tone would look better imo.

AKT, I guess it depends on whether one thinks the
"inspiration photo" (such a corny phrase!) is too busy. I don't.
But, moreover, the brightness and prominence of the mural is also very
hard to mock up. If you look at the photo of the three colorways in situ,
you can see they are pretty subdued (esp the one I am leaning toward).
Also, the mock up is not the particular mural I am leaning toward.
Here is another example of the mural I am leaning toward (it is custom
cut to scale for the portion you want). I don't have the samples here so
I don't recall if this is the exact colorway, but it gives you an idea of how
open the design is. I have also superimposed the mirror from the mfr,
which does not read as bright as it did in the House Beautiful spread.

Rose, I think that is also a limitation of mock ups. If you look at the mirror on the mfrs site, or the retailer's site, it is not as gold. I do have gold hardware (rams head) on the only furniture piece in the room.

Robo, it was not about your mockup per se, but about the limitations of the mockup genre! : )

brb, having trouble posting photos

Side by side: Mfr vs House Beautiful. And in my house, it will probably look a third color!

definitely a much nicer gold finish. I like it a lot.

Mtn, I stand correctedd. The mirror and mural look great in the photo you posted.

Mtn, who is the manufacturer of the mirror, please. I believe I might find something for my sister on the site and would love to be able to review what they offer.

Thx guys.

It's mfr by Carvers Guild. Mecox has this mirror but I'm not sure how much of the line they carry

retail source

a little more tan you want to spend, but I like this 50.5"W x 3"D x 77"T. horchow leather

Oh I see - somehow on my ipad I missed that you had a solution! nevermind. :)

one other

Thanks, anyway, Boop. I am committed to the mirror, just need to decide if I will wallpaper/mural or not and if so which one. : )

Mtn, just wanted to chime in and say I like your idea and LOVE the mirror, so classic and could always be used elsewhere. The mural is a wonderful backdrop~I prefer the one with the least color~is it the trees? Looks like Chinoserie, and again, classic. Decision made yet? ;)

Hi Pattycakes, thanks.

We have been away so I haven't been able to test the wallpaper samples.

The mirror arrived and I really like it. Family thinks I've lost it. "Well, you have for sure left your Shaker phase".

Here it is just propped up. (ignore the chair and ottoman on the left... I have it there on trial for scale and function ... a white one to match the right side is on order).

The Fornasetti "cloud" paper (also comes as a mural) comes in 2 colorways. One is too cold. One is perfect but quite subtle. I may live with this as is for a while before I decide to paper/mural or not.

Also have a rug I bought in India that is on its way but as I look at the photos, the brick, rug, and throw from BA all go, hmm.